Veal Cooking Tips

The options of cookery methods are the same for veal as for other meat products, and may be either “dry cookery” (cooking without adding moisture) or “moist cookery” (using added moisture).

Dry Heat Cooking Methods
To achieve the ultimate in tenderness and taste for cuts such as roasts, rib chops, loin chops, cutlets, and ground veal, the following dry cooking methods are recommended:

Roasting – Roasting is for tender cuts such as the rib rack, loin, leg and boneless shoulder roast. Before roasting, meat can be rubbed with seasoning. Sear meat to form a brown crust, if desired. To roast, place meat fat side up on a rack in an open roasting pan. Roast until 5 to 10 degrees below desired doneness. Let the roast stand 15 to 20 minutes. Temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees to reach desired doneness and roast will be easier to carve.

Broiling – In broiling, meat is exposed directly to the heat source. Broiling is best for thinner cuts, like chops, steaks and kabobs. The key to broiling is to match the rate at which the outside of the meat browns with the temperature inside of the meat. Seasoning can be added before or after broiling. Place veal in a broiler. Position thicker cuts towards the front of the broiler, where it is cooler. Turn veal and continue cooking to the desired degree of doneness.

Grilling - Grilling adds rich flavor by browning the meat directly over the heat source. As in broiling, grilling also allows fat to run away from the meat, reducing the overall fat content. Veal chops, medallions, kabobs and ground veal patties are the best cuts for grilling. Position thicker cuts away from flames so that the outside is browned while the inside is cooked through. Turn veal and continue cooking to the desired degree of doneness.

Moist Heat Cooking Methods
Veal cuts that respond best to moist heat cooking include veal for stew and those cuts from the shoulder, leg, shank, or breast.

Braising – Slowing cooking in a closed container with a small amount of water is called braising. Braising uses less water than stewing. Veal Osso Buco is usually braised. Cook until fork tender. Use the liquid from braising for a sauce.

Stewing – In stewing, smaller pieces of meat are covered completely by liquid, cooked slowly in a closed container until fork tender.

Flavor Tips
There are a number of techniques for flavoring veal. The technique chosen may depend on the seasonings or ingredients used.

Dry Rub – Apply herbs and spices to the outside of the meat before roasting.

Marinate – Soak meat in a mixture of oils, herbs and acidic ingredients such as juices, vinegar or wine. Marinating can also tenderize meat before cooking. Veal responds well to marinades, which both tenderize and flavor the meat, and enable you to cook less tender cuts more quickly.

Crust or Bread – Coat meat in herbs, ground nuts or breadcrumbs.

Sauce or Glaze – Top meat with a blend of flavors while adding moisture.

Stuff – Fill veal with an assortment of vegetables, herbs, nuts and cheeses.